I look out over the couches and pillows in front of the TV in the living room. When I came here for the first time, it looked much much bigger than it does now. I suspect it has something to do with the extra couch and comfy chairs and all the children’s toys all over the room these days.
Kit and Rune are taking up one couch, all wrapped around each other, their eyes on the screen, but I smile when I catch how Rune is teasing Kit with little kisses and nips in his neck. They’ll probably sneak off together in not too long... It’s always the same thing with those two, but then, I don’t mind it one bit, as usually, they manage to sneak me with them.
The second couch has Phoenix and Finn on it, both of them dividing their time between the book they’re reading and watching the movie. They’re both folded onto half of the couch, their feet inches from each other but never touching. I’ve watched them sit like that for an evening and somehow they manage to never disturb the other, even when they’re both engrossed in their books. Though, as soon as I sit between them, they’ll turn to me and lean on me as they just keep reading. I get why some people think they’re standoffish, but it’s just that they’ve got other things on their mind most of the time. Because they’re really warm people, with lots of love to share, which you can see when you see them in more natural situations and not when they’re being stared at on campus.
The third couch is full of bodies as Bane is covered by the three dragons, all wanting the best spot at his side. They love giving him a hard time, but I know they do it because it annoys him and he can’t seem to say no to them anyway. He’s a big cuddly personality, which they very soon realised and started taking advantage of. Right now, Lynn managed to snag the best spot, under his arm, against his side, comfy and warm. Dewy and Blaze are sitting behind his pulled up legs, like they’re in some kind of fortress. All four of them staring at the screen with their full attention.
Four months ago I had no idea this world existed, or that I was part of some prophecy or anything, and now I somehow have a family with five lovers and three kids. Life can change so fast.
A laugh escapes me thinking of how the people back in the human world would stare at me if they knew what happened to me. Now they’re just thinking that I’m too busy with college and forgot all about them, which is sad, but fine with me. Their heads would explode if they found out what I’m really doing.
Eight pairs of eyes turn to me instantly when they realise I’m here.
“Popcorn?” I hold up two tubs and Lynn and Blaze immediately dash over to me.
“Mine!” Lynn grabs one of the buckets and Blaze grabs the other.
“This one is mine.” Blaze sits down close to the TV, the bucket in his lap, too far away from others, so they can’t get to it.
“You have to share,” I call after Blaze, but I know it’s no use, which I totally expected.
“They can get their own if they want it so badly.” Blaze grumbles and Rune taps him on his head, making the boy glare up at him.
“Be nice to Litha and share.” He sits up, a sappy smile on his face.
“Pfff.” He glowers at Rune, before turning to me. “You want some?”
I shake my head. “No, thanks.”
“See? She doesn’t want it.” He wraps his body around the tub more and returns to the movie. “Mine.” The little growl coming from him is too adorable to get annoyed by.
I meet Rune’s eyes, who is grinning at me, shaking his head slowly. Kids.
On the other couch, Lynn has made herself comfortable next to Bane again and the three of them are eating from her bucket, though, with the way Lynn is engrossed in the movie, I’m not even sure she realises Bane and Dewy are eating from it too.
Turning around, I can’t help my grin, and walk back to the kitchen, where two more buckets are waiting for me. I knew this would happen, we’ve been living like this for long enough to know that those two always grab the first buckets.
Soft footsteps follow me, and a set of warm arms surround me, boobs squished to my back, soft lips on my neck. “You know that you’re amazing, right?”
I turn around in Phoenix’ embrace and wrap my arms around her too, giving her a soft kiss. “And I deserve the praise for what, exactly? Not that I don’t like it...” I wink, which makes her grin.
“Everything. But right now, for knowing exactly how to keep the peace while they watch a movie.” She pushes me back against the counter, stepping in close. “But it also lets me have a moment alone with you.” Her lips are back on mine and I lose myself in her soft touches, her hot kisses and the way our boobs are pushing together. She slides her hands up into my hair, angling my head as she deepens the kiss.
I slide my hands under her shirt, her warm skin smooth under my fingers, and as I slide them up, I realise she’s not wearing a bra. I take one of her nipples between my fingers, rolling it and she moans into the kiss, her hands tightening in my hair. I consider sneaking off to our room for some fun, when I hear small footsteps in the hallway and light sniffling, like someone’s crying.
We break apart, our breathing hard, and I stare to the side. Dewy is standing in the middle of the hallway, big tears sliding down his cheeks.
Oh, hell, what happened? My mind is immediately off the fun thing with Phoenix as I take Dewy in my arms, Phoenix right next to me, also trying to calm him. “What’s wrong, little boy?”
“Scary.” He rubs at his eyes with his little fists. “Movie scary.”
Ahh. I look at Phoenix, maybe he’s a little young for what they’re watching. “Well, let’s go do something else, then.” I nod towards the popcorn and Phoenix takes a bucket, the guys will find the other one soon enough when they realise we’re not coming back any time soon.
I take both of them to the sitting area upstairs, and we make ourselves comfortable on one of the couches.
“Story,” Dewy insists, pointing at the books on the low table. “Please?” He turns his perfect begging eyes at Phoenix, who can’t seem to resist them at all. He’s going to be trouble when he grows up and starts to realise how much he can get from people with those stunning blue eyes of his, but for now, he’s just small and only getting favours from those who care for him.
I don’t really want to think of the future, especially not more than a couple of days into the future at a time.
Finn has been to the fae kingdom twice, to deal with governing stuff there, and each time he went, I’ve been sick with worry, not able to sleep or even sit still the whole time he’s gone. Nothing has happened to him yet, but I never know if this time will be the first time. He’ll be officially crowned in the spring, so that there’s been an appropriate time of mourning for his dad before he takes the throne. But he’s been really busy with things while he’s been at home too. I really need to try to get him to share some of those responsibilities with us, because he can’t shoulder all of them on his own. In another few weeks, he’s going to take the first trip of many to some of the ‘research’ facilities, and Rune and I have been trying to get him to take us with him, because we really don’t want him to do that on his own. Not just because of his safety, but also because we don’t think he really understands the impact of the things he’ll see when he gets there.
Kit and Bane will be crowned next summer, which is luckily still a while off, and while we’ve been getting all sorts of questions and demands for the events, it’s not been too much yet. Which I’m sure will change as time passes.
Phoenix’ mum is still the highest priestess for now, they’ve decided it’s better if we do the whole move to a new coven and all when I’m able to take on more responsibilities as a queen. For now, Phoenix’ mum deals with the old coven and things while Phoenix is focusing on starting up a new coven and everything that goes with that.
And Rune and me? We’ve been diving into old books, trying to find situations similar to our own, of times when so many people were ruling a kingdom, or five, at the same time, either here or in other kingdoms, but we’ve not found much yet, sadly enough. Which means that we’ve been having to create our own systems. Right now, our ‘kingdoms’, the witch and dragon kingdoms, are in theory only, but we know that that won’t be for long, especially with the way everyone is ‘hinting’ at us that next summer will be a great time to get married, to take our rightful places...
I’m already dreading all of that, but I know that we’ll have to make a choice about that soon, we can’t wait too long.
But, tonight I’m not thinking of that, tonight I’m spending with my loves, with my family.
Leaning my head on Phoenix’ shoulder, I enjoy her voice as she reads from some fairytale book. It’s the story of a princess who is trying to find her prince but can’t seem to find the right prince to marry, they’re all okay but also wrong for different reasons. So she keeps looking and looking.
Before I dose off, I have a final thought, which makes me smile. ‘Why choose? She can have them all, and princesses too. I have.’
Don’t want to stop reading? Grab your copy of the next book! This was originally a separate short story, but is now part of the main story line.
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